computer science module

Rich43

Rich43

Rich43

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Leicester
ive just started my BSc (hons) computer science degree, i am very experienced with computers but i have a module called "computer number systems" which requires a lot of maths.
ive managed to program through the years with not much math knowlege and i retook my maths gcse about 3 times to pass.

is there anyone else that is doing or has done computer science that knows this module?
did you find it hard?
 
Computer Science is a numerate subject - it is heavily maths based. If Maths is that big an issue for you you have chosen the wrong course. You needed a more vocational IT course.
 
Is it a BSc? It sounds like it.

If so, you might struggle. I barely passed an A-level in Maths (scraped a D :( ) and struggled at degree level (mainly because of the maths).

As [TW]Fox says, I would try to switch to a vocational course (e.g. a BA in Business and Computing, Multimedia, Web Design etc.) rather than spend the next few months struggling and hating your course and eventually dropping out, which I saw many people do. Be totally honest and talk to your personal tutor.
 
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I am a programmer, it has SQL, java, c++ and many things I enjoy. Ive programmed freelance and as a hobby prior to the degree. I need to prove my knowlege to employers so Im getting the degree.
also employers ask for this degree so i need it.
 
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Rich43 said:
I am a programmer, it has SQL, java, c++ and many things I enjoy. Ive programmed freelance and as a hobby prior to the degree. I need to prove my knowlege to employers so Im getting the degree.
also employers ask for this degree so i need it.
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I was in a similar position as a programmer myself - but I found that of the modules I took, only 20% were of interest. The rest had a heavy mathematical / electronical / theoretical bias, which meant I lost interest and struggled to keep up. I still passed, but it was very tough.

I found the programming and business side of the course to be interesting - but the rest, meh.

And for reference - the only part of the degree I use in my 'day to day' work life is the 20% I was interested in. But I am sure it's different for everyone.

All I will say further to this - if you are dead set on it, and have the employer goal in mind that only this degree can offer, then put the time and effort in. You will get it.
 
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My best mate barely scraped a C pass in GCSE maths, didn't do any maths based courses at A-level, went to uni to do a Computer Science degree, and came out the other end with a first.

It can be done, but I think it'll take a lot more commitment from you than somebody a little more maths savvy.
 
[TW]Fox;12645650 said:
But you dont have the knowledge, hence this thread. Computer Science is a maths based degree.
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I am on my final year and have only came across 2 modules that have required some use of maths the rest have not.
 
When I was looking at CompSci courses they all seemed heavily maths-based, which was what attracted me to them. You might struggle slightly, but then again if you've only got the one module that's maths based (quite surprising tbh...) you might survive just fine.
 
Maths can be learnt, with enough effort and the right tuition.
If hes managed to program all these years it shouldnt be too difficult to understand the maths.
 
I've done that module. I found it tricky at first as I was never good at maths in school but if you work at it you can soon gain an affinity for maths as easily as programming and may even enjoy it. Just try to approach it with a positive attitude.
 
You will have to do quite a bit of maths, probably physics too. Make sure you learn things such as vectors and matrices as they're bound to crop up (I think I've forgotton them already mind, and I only finished a few months ago :o).

Computer number systems sounds like binary and hex etc though which isn't too bad.
 
Computer Science is maths. You don't learn to program in a good Computer Science course, you learn the theoretical background. You will learn how to develop efficient algorithms, but may not have the skill to develop a complete software system. If you want to learn how to program software then do a softwear engineering degree.


If you want to do a lot of maths then do Comupter Science.
 
Rich43 said:
I am a programmer, it has SQL, java, c++ and many things I enjoy. Ive programmed freelance and as a hobby prior to the degree. I need to prove my knowlege to employers so Im getting the degree.
also employers ask for this degree so i need it.
Click to expand...

Which employers want a computer science degree?
I've been a developer since I graduated and, while I have a numerate degree, neither I nor many of my colleagues have a degree in computer science.
It may well just be that employers want you to be educated to degree level, but I've never known anyone to be particularly bothered about the subject to be a developer.
 
Rich43 said:
is there anyone else that is doing or has done computer science that knows this module?
did you find it hard?
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yeah I know exactly which one you're talking about because all computer science courses at all universities contain exactly the same modules.....

Come on you've chosen a subject that basically started out as a branch of mathematics, it shouldn't come as too much of a shock that a proper "computer science" course will contain a reasonable amount of mathematics.

If you wanted a programming course then perhpas you should have taken a programming course instead, sorry I don't mean to be rude but it is an academic qualification taught, usually, under the science or engineering faculty so what on earth were you expecting.

Might suck at the moment if you don't like maths - just put a load of effort in and it will pay off in the end.
 
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I'm doing Computing Science at Uni. It's somewhat similar to Computer but it gives me more freedom on what I want to learn. I failed horribly at Maths (33/300 at AS, needless to say I hate it) and am finding the Maths alright (we're doing Matrices at the moment).

Luckily, Maths is only a module for the first Semester ;)
 
Rich43 said:
I am a programmer, it has SQL, java, c++ and many things I enjoy. Ive programmed freelance and as a hobby prior to the degree. I need to prove my knowlege to employers so Im getting the degree.
also employers ask for this degree so i need it.
Click to expand...

classic case of a degree getting you a foot in the door.
 
I avoided Computer Science for just this reason, and I'm taking a Bsc in I.T. at Kent - quite a bit of programming in the course, and a more vocational approach which suits me.
 
As others have said Computer Science has a lot of maths in it. I know during my Computer Science degree there was a lot more theoretical and mathematical based modules, and very few pure "programming" modules.

Out of interest what's the content of your maths module? Unfortunately a name doesn't really shed much light on what they may be trying to teach you :)
 
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